MPM modeling to overcome limitations of cone penetration testing in complex stratigraphy

Kaleigh Yost, Alba Yerro, Mario Martinelli, Russell Green, Eileen Martin

01 Sept 2023 (modified: 14 Sept 2023)MPM 2023 Workshop SubmissionEveryoneRevisionsBibTeX
Keywords: MPM, CPT, 2D axisymmetric
TL;DR: MPM simulation of cone penetration tests can help us understand and overcome limitations of this popular in-situ characterization method.
Abstract: Cone penetration tests (CPTs), one of the most commonly used in-situ testing techniques in geotechnical engineering, have limitations in their ability to adequately characterize individual layer stiffness and thickness in complex soil stratigraphy. This has detrimental consequences on the engineering analyses performed using this data, like earthquake-induced liquefaction triggering predictions. In this presentation, the mechanisms causing inaccuracies in CPT data will be demonstrated with results from 2D axisymmetric numerical simulations of cone penetration using the Material Point Method (MPM). Furthermore, it will be demonstrated how MPM results can be used to develop procedures to correct CPT data for these effects, with the ultimate goal of improving the accuracy of liquefaction hazard assessments.
Submission Number: 13